Subtitle

Musings from a published author...

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Thinking like a studio is one thing. Building one? That’s the next step.

For the past few years, I’ve focused on developing stories that punch above their weight... low-budget films with bite (Winter: Battleground, Bone Hill), bold, weird fiction (Redneck Kaiju), and animated projects that challenge the usual formulas.

Now I’m taking the next step: exploring the launch of a small, agile indie studio focused on genre storytelling. Horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and all the strange corners in between. Lean budgets, strong concepts, creative control.

I’m putting out feelers. If you’re an investor, producer, or just someone who believes there’s room for smart, high-concept indie storytelling, we should talk.

Let’s build something bold.

wil@nogglestones.com

Thursday, April 24, 2025

I stopped waiting for permission.

No big development deals. No huge residual checks (yet). Just a burning drive to make the things I believe in, no matter who’s watching.

When Bone Hill found early success, it reminded me that you don’t need a studio to validate your voice. You need vision, grit, and the guts to follow through.

Now I’m developing a new IP, Redneck Kaiju, starting as a book series with an eye on building something bigger. Not because anyone asked me to. Because I had to.

And I’ve got another indie film brewing: The Food Truck. It’s scrappy, weird, and deeply personal. Just the kind of project I love. No greenlight from on high. Just that same voice in my head saying: Go. Make. Do.

The light is always green in my imagination.

I create without constraints, without limits, and without rules.

If you’re waiting for someone to say “Go”… consider this your sign.

We don’t need permission to tell our stories.

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Not every story needs a multiverse. Some just need a myth.

For years I’ve felt something missing in modern sci-fi and fantasy. The heart. The mythic weight. The quiet moments of wonder that made us fall in love with stories like Star Wars in the first place.

So I created The Lighthouse Keeper, a story for those of us who still believe in heroes, in mystery, and in fighting the darkness even when the galaxy has moved on.

Set on a cursed world shrouded in legend, The Lighthouse Keeper follows Kane, the last of the ancient Presters, immortal guardians created to battle the Damanta, monstrous beings from the void. Now he stands watch alone, warning travelers away… until a crippled ship crashes on his world, carrying the seeds of a second chance.

It’s mythic sci-fi, built for a generation that grew up on mythology and moral clarity, and maybe feels a little shut out of today’s Hollywood. I want to give those fans (and their kids) something to believe in again.

I’m looking to develop this as a feature or limited series, and I’m open to conversations with investors, studios, and strategic partners who feel the same pull toward timeless storytelling.

Let’s bring the myth back.

wil@nogglestones.com

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Writer’s block? Never heard of it.

For whatever reason, I never run out of ideas. In fact, I have too many.

A dream, a stray comment, a passing headline… almost anything can spark a new story. I’m constantly developing fresh IP, screenplays, and pitch-ready material.

The real challenge? Deciding which project to focus on next.

Right now, I’m building out several original concepts, including:

  • The Food Truck – a lean, indie horror thriller centered on one killer location.
  • Tomb of the Troll King – I'm bringing back sword & sorcery with a gritty, low-budget attitude.
  • Redneck Kaiju – giant monsters, backwoods mayhem, and a ton of potential.

That's just three out of dozens that I have slithering, stalking, and fluttering around inside my fevered brain.

If you’re a producer or studio looking for original, market-ready content to develop or option, let’s talk. My bench is deep, and I’m always generating new material.

wil@nogglestones.com

Hollywood’s having a nostalgia hangover.

Reboots, sequels, and spinoffs aren’t delivering like they used to. Audiences are ready for bold, new stories. The kind of stories that haven’t been chewed over by a dozen previous installments. And that’s exactly what I’m focused on creating.

I’m a screenwriter and IP developer with a track record of getting projects made, including my recently released indie horror film Bone Hill, the sci-fi actioner Winter: Battleground, and a portfolio of work-for-hire screenplays for studios like Epic Pictures.

I’ve also written and published multiple novels, including The Whisper King series, which was once optioned by Platinum Studios and featured in The Hollywood Reporter.

But unlike Hollywood, I’m not here to coast on the past.

I’m actively looking for freelance screenwriting work, development opportunities, and creative partnerships. I’ve got a slate of ready-to-go scripts and fresh IP across horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and animation. And I’m always hungry to collaborate on something new and exciting.

If you’re a producer, exec, or investor looking to break away from the IP graveyard and take a chance on something original, let’s talk.

DM me, email me (wil@nogglestones.com) or connect.

Let’s forge the future together!

A quick reminder from the trenches of networking and pitching…

Sometimes when you're reaching out to potential collaborators, producers, or industry contacts, you're going to miss the mark. Maybe you contact the wrong department. Maybe your pitch isn't a fit. It happens. We're all human.

But there's no excuse for being rude to someone who approaches you professionally.

I recently got a snippy response from someone after a polite inquiry. I won’t name names because this isn’t about revenge or finger-pointing... it's about a broader truth: you never know who you’re talking to, or where they might end up.

I’ve interviewed for jobs I didn’t get, but because the person on the other end treated me with kindness and respect, we ended up working together on a different project years later. That kind of professionalism builds bridges. Rudeness? It burns them before they even exist.

And honestly, I’ve been on the other side too. At my day job, I sometimes turn away walk-in salespeople or cold pitches that don’t fit what we do. I get the instinct to shut things down quickly. But professionalism is about how we do it. A simple, respectful “no thanks” can keep doors open down the line, and preserve your own reputation in the process.

So to anyone out there in casting, producing, distribution, or any field really, keep in mind: your reputation doesn’t just rest on your résumé. It rests on how you treat people when you think they can’t do anything for you.

Because one day, they might.

Have you had a similar experience—on either side of the equation? Feel free to share. I’d love to hear how others have handled this kind of situation.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Doubling Down on Indie Films

I've had scripts land in the hands of execs at Disney, Fox, Sony, and other major studios. And while that path might be a dream for some, I’ve realized something important:
That’s not the world I want.

With the growing buzz for Bone Hill, and my ongoing freelance work with Epic Pictures and other passionate creators, I’ve found my space, and it's in the indie film scene. It’s where creativity is valued, risks are encouraged, and your voice actually matters.

There’s opportunity here. Real opportunity. Not just for success and profit, but for building something that feels good to make. Where the stress is lower, the collaboration is stronger, and the stories are just as bold (if not bolder) than anything coming out of the big studios.

So yes, I'm doubling down on indie. Proudly.

If you're in this world too, or thinking about joining it, let’s connect. Let’s make something strange, scary, hilarious, or all of the above.

wil@nogglestones.com

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

The film industry is evolving. So am I.

As the landscape shifts and audiences demand fresh, daring storytelling, I'm embracing change and leaning into what’s next. From crafting high-octane sci-fi thrillers like Winter: Battleground to developing animated sitcoms like The Dead Possum Inn, my focus is clear: deliver unforgettable stories that resonate with today’s audiences.

I’m driven to create screenplays that balance bold concepts with compelling characters... projects that stick with viewers long after the credits roll.

Whether it's adapting beloved IPs or generating original worlds, my approach is to elevate ideas into experiences.

And with projects like The Food Truck moving into production, I’m all in on bringing unique voices and new perspectives to the screen.

If you’re looking for a screenwriter who’s passionate, proactive, and tuned into where the industry is heading, I’d love to connect. Let’s create something incredible!

wil@nogglestones.com

Thursday, March 27, 2025

The wheels keep turning…

Yesterday, I shared some exciting updates about Bone Hill and my other projects. Thank you to everyone who commented, liked, and reached out! These stories have been rattling around in my head for a long time, and it’s exhilarating to finally bring them to life.

But that’s just the beginning. Right now, I’m deep in the trenches with The Food Truck, gearing up for the new edition of The Whisper King: Daughter of Shadows, and, because I apparently don’t have enough on my plate, looking into ways to fund my own studio. Because why not make things even more interesting?

If you’re working on something big (or chasing an impossible dream just to see how far you can take it), let’s hear about it. What’s keeping you up at night... in a good way?

wil@nogglestones.com

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Bone Hill has been an incredible journey.

It started as a comic book mini-series I pitched to Platinum Studios, which optioned it with plans to turn it into a movie. When the option eventually expired, the rights reverted to me, and I decided to adapt my comic scripts into a screenplay. After shopping it around with no luck, I turned my focus closer to home.

I reached out to my friend Jim Cummings at Soundstage 1, a veteran musician and advertising executive I’d known since my days as a video editor. Jim immediately saw the potential and shared the script with his friend Phil Wurtzel of Friel Films, whom he knew from doing soundtrack and production work on some of Phil’s films. From there, everything started falling into place—Phil secured funding, Jim scouted locations and helped assemble a crew, and I tapped into my own network to find the perfect director. Before I knew it, I was stepping onto set with my son (who has a great role in the film!) and watching my script come to life.

Now, we’re just over a week away from Bone Hill’s premiere at the Bogar Theatre in Marshall, Michigan. It’s been an amazing experience—one that wouldn’t have happened without the connections I’ve built over the years.

Talent plays a role. So does luck. Patience is essential. But in the end, success in this industry comes down to one thing: people.

Who in your network has helped you bring a dream to life? Have you helped someone else achieve their goals? Let’s talk—comment below, message me, or email me. You never know where the next great collaboration might come from!

And don't forget to check out the Bone Hill trailer here:

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Need a Screenwriter? I’m Open for Work-For-Hire Projects!

I’ve had the privilege of writing screenplays for Epic Pictures, Platinum Studios, Friel Films, Makings Entertainment, and Story is King Pictures, crafting everything from sci-fi thrillers to horror, action, fantasy, and beyond.

Four of my horror properties were optioned by Platinum Studios in a deal that was featured in The Hollywood Reporter. I also wrote and co-produced Bone Hill, a horror-thriller premiering April 5th. My work-for-hire screenplays for Epic Pictures include the sci-fi action film Winter: Battleground, and I’ve collaborated on multiple projects with Story is King Pictures.

If you need a feature film, TV pilot, rewrite, or treatment, I can bring your vision to life with sharp dialogue, compelling characters, and cinematic storytelling that keeps audiences hooked.

I’m currently open for new projects! If you're a producer, director, or studio looking for an experienced, reliable screenwriter, let’s talk. I'm not a WGA member, so I negotiate my own rates, which are extremely reasonable.

I can also turn around polished first drafts within a matter of weeks, if not days. And, unlike many writers, I welcome script notes and feedback.

Email me, or leave a comment below, and let’s make something great together!

wil@nogglestones.com